Plastic: Difference between revisions

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Plastics are defined as 'any of numerous organic synthetic or processed materials that are mostly thermoplastic or thermosetting polymers of high molecular weight and that can be made into objects, films, or filaments' <ref>Marriam-Webster, 2019. [https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plastic Definition of PLASTIC. Merriam-webster.com.] [online] [Accessed 27 Feb. 2019].</ref>. Although plastics present many benefits, plastic waste, generally, does not decompose and therefore persists in the environment presenting a variety of wide-reaching environmental issues, polluting soils, rivers and oceans, and harming the creatures that inhabit them <ref name="foo">Smith, L. 2019. [http://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-8515/CBP-8515.pdf BRIEFING PAPER Number 08515, 30 September 2019 - Plastic waste.] London: House of Commons Library. [online].</ref>.

Plastic waste being sent to [[Landfill]] is decreasing; between 2012 and 2016 the tonnage dropped from 122,400 to 53,400. This is due to an increase in plastic waste being [[Recycling|recycled]] or sent to [[Energy Recovery Facility|Energy Recovery]], with these treatment methods dealing with 91% of plastic waste in 2016 and the ~~remainder~~ 9% being sent to landfill<ref name="foo" />.

Plastic waste being sent to [[Landfill]] is decreasing; between 2012 and 2016 the tonnage dropped from 122,400 to 53,400. This is due to an increase in plastic waste being [[Recycling|recycled]] or sent to [[Energy Recovery Facility|Energy Recovery]], with these treatment methods dealing with 91% of plastic waste in 2016 and the remaining 9% being sent to landfill<ref name="foo" />.

The current focus in the media on the harm that plastic causes in the environment often does not consider the benefits that plastics can bring in a number of ways, including food preservation. The debate on the merits or otherwise of plastics use, and alternatives, is gathering momentum in the UK at present.

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 Plastics are defined as 'any of numerous organic synthetic or processed materials that are mostly thermoplastic or thermosetting polymers of high molecular weight and that can be made into objects, films, or filaments' <ref>Marriam-Webster, 2019. [https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plastic Definition of PLASTIC. Merriam-webster.com.] [online] [Accessed 27 Feb. 2019].</ref>. Although plastics present many benefits, plastic waste, generally, does not decompose and therefore persists in the environment presenting a variety of wide-reaching environmental issues, polluting soils, rivers and oceans, and harming the creatures that inhabit them <ref name="foo">Smith, L. 2019. [http://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-8515/CBP-8515.pdf BRIEFING PAPER Number 08515, 30 September 2019 - Plastic waste.] London: House of Commons Library. [online].</ref>.
-Plastic waste being sent to [[Landfill]] is decreasing; between 2012 and 2016 the tonnage dropped from  122,400 to 53,400. This is due to an increase in plastic waste being [[Recycling|recycled]] or sent to [[Energy Recovery Facility|Energy Recovery]], with these treatment methods dealing with 91% of plastic waste in 2016 and the remainder 9% being sent to landfill<ref name="foo" />.
+Plastic waste being sent to [[Landfill]] is decreasing; between 2012 and 2016 the tonnage dropped from  122,400 to 53,400. This is due to an increase in plastic waste being [[Recycling|recycled]] or sent to [[Energy Recovery Facility|Energy Recovery]], with these treatment methods dealing with 91% of plastic waste in 2016 and the remaining 9% being sent to landfill<ref name="foo" />.
 The current focus in the media on the harm that plastic causes in the environment often does not consider the benefits that plastics can bring in a number of ways, including food preservation. The debate on the merits or otherwise of plastics use, and alternatives, is gathering momentum in the UK at present.